Police departments rely on forensic artists to draw composite sketches of criminals and crime scenes, based on descriptions they obtain from eyewitnesses. Forensic artists interview people who witness crimes, inquire about the facial features and ostensible characteristics of perpetrators, and coordinate the distribution of fliers and bulletins to the public and news reporters. They earn average salaries above $40,000 per year.

Police departments rely on forensic artists to draw composite sketches of criminals and crime scenes, based on descriptions they obtain from eyewitnesses. Forensic artists interview people who witness crimes, inquire about the facial features and ostensible characteristics of perpetrators, and coordinate the distribution of fliers and bulletins to the public and news reporters. They earn average salaries above $40,000 per year.

Salary and Qualifications

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes forensic artists under "Sketch Artists" within the craft and fine artists industry. Craft and fine artists earned $54,000 per year, according to the BLS. But in 2013, the job website Indeed reported average salaries of $44,000 per year specifically for forensic artists. These professionals usually need high school diplomas to start training as forensic scientists. Employers may prefer, though, hiring candidates with an associate or bachelor's degrees in art. Forensic art training programs typically include 80 hours of arts training -- half of which is lectures and coursework, according to the International Association for Identification. Another step in the certification process is to complete 30 individual cases of composite sketches, reconstructions and age progressions for law enforcement. The entire training and certification process takes about two years. Other key qualifications include creativity, visual acuity, manual dexterity and communication and customer service skills.

Salary by Region

Average salaries for forensic artists varied within the four U.S. regions. As of May 2013, in the Northeast, they earned the highest salaries, $53,000, in New York and lowest, $38,000, in Maine, according to Indeed. Those in the Midwest earned between $34,000 and $47,000 per year, respectively, in South Dakota and Illinois. Forensic artists earned $31,000 to $48,000, respectively, in Hawaii and California -- the lowest and highest salaries in the West. Moreover, those in the South made $37,000 to $52,000, respectively, in Louisiana and the District of Columbia.

Contributing Factors

Forensic artists usually earn more as they gain experience. They may also qualify for higher-paying positions with five or more years of experience. Larger police departments are also more likely to pay forensic artists more because they have bigger budgets to support the higher salaries. These artists also earn more in New York, California and Washington, D.C. because housing and living costs are typically higher there.

Job Outlook

Jobs for craft and fine artists, including forensic artists, will increase by only 5 percent in the next decade, according to the BLS, which is much slower than the 14 percent national average for all jobs. The number of full-time forensic artists is relatively low compared to most professionals, but more police departments are likely to start employing these creative professionals. Those who want jobs as forensic artists should consider moving to bigger cities, where more crimes are committed.

2016 Salary Information for Craft and Fine Artists

Craft and fine artists earned a median annual salary of $49,250 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, craft and fine artists earned a 25th percentile salary of $32,210, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $70,210, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 53,300 people were employed in the U.S. as craft and fine artists.